Cute! Love the title page change- I think it speaks to a broader audience- however I love my fae, orcs and elves and I love cozy bakery books with low stakes and romance- I will eat it up almost every time, and this time was no different.

Thank you for the arc!

4.5⭐️! This was a cute cozy fantasy read! It really felt like Arleta was gaining confidence throughout the whole book in her abilities and herself overall. I loved the baking competition in the book and thought it was so fun. I did also enjoy the little bit of romance that was added in! Looking forward to the next one!

Cozy fantasy, low stakes and baking- a great combo. I really enjoyed this once I got about 15% into it, it did have a slow start but keep with it. I liked the idea of a fantasy baking competition but I do wish there was more baking! I loved the side characters so much and cannot wait to read more about them. I enjoyed this start to the series and is a good book for fans of Legends and Lattes.

3🌟

This was a really cute read! It wasn’t high stakes, which made it the perfect palate cleanser. This would be such a great read in the fall. I would describe this as cozy fantasy meets Great British Bake Off. It was predictable, but not in an annoying way. I did wish there were more magic elements or a surprise development of sorts for the FMC, but everything was pretty straightforward. I really enjoyed the friendship in this book, and it made me interested in reading the next book in this series. I may not have picked this book up otherwise, but it was a delightfully light read, so I appreciated it.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner – 4/5 stars
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a cozy fantasy that blends baking, magic, and a touch of romance. Set in the enchanting town of Adenashire, the story follows Arleta Starstone, a human baker without magic, who is secretly entered into the prestigious Langheim Baking Battle by her orc neighbors. As she navigates the competition, Arleta faces challenges of self-doubt, prejudice, and unexpected feelings for an elf named Theo.
What works:
• Charming Setting: The world-building is delightful, with a whimsical mix of magical creatures and a baking competition that mirrors The Great British Bake Off.
• Heartwarming Themes: The story explores themes of self-worth, found family, and the idea that magic isn't just about spells but also about kindness and resilience.
• Sweet Romance: The budding relationship between Arleta and Theo adds a gentle romantic element to the narrative
What could be improved:
• Character Development: Some characters, including Arleta, could benefit from deeper development to make their journeys more compelling.
• Pacing: The story occasionally feels slow, especially in the beginning, as it sets up the world and characters.
• Predictability: The plot follows a familiar trajectory, which may not offer surprises for readers seeking more complexity
Final thoughts:
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a delightful read for fans of cozy fantasy and baking-themed stories. While it may not break new ground, it offers a comforting escape with its charming setting and heartwarming themes. It's a perfect choice for those looking for a light, feel-good fantasy experience

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic was a delightful cozy fantasy. This was a fast paced read and for enjoyable. The characters were wonderful!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a arc in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the idea of elves, dwarfs, and orcs alongside a baking competition. I would love to have been able to taste every food item. And I liked Theo. He seemed very practical, down-to-earth, and very kind. However, I struggled with Arleta. She was very hateful towards herself, and while I can be and understand stubborn, she was over-the-top. The last scene with a certain person really made me very done with Arleta.

There was obviously another message that the author had placed within the novel. But without going deeper or creating ACTUAL conversations around it, it felt more like “oh hey, here’s what’s going on. Moving on.”

Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book took me a little while to get into, but once the story got started, I was glad to be reading it.

The storyline was fun and it truly felt like I was immersed into this magical cooking contents. It was a great introduction to the world and set up future stories well.

Overall, this was a nice cozy read and breath of fresh air.

Very fun and very cute. I like that there wasn’t a lot of deliberation and misunderstanding (or at least that they didn’t last long). I loved the found family at the end as well. I could definitely read more about these characters.

In a nutshell:
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is just as fun as watching The Great British Bake-Off and Harry Potter…combined! This book is like a warm blanket that is sure to comfort you and put you in a good mood, just like your favourite things to watch on TV. The characters become your friends from page 1, and the world-building completely transports you to the magical world created by J. Penner.

Synopsis:
Arleta Starstone is a talented and passionate baker, and all she wants is to open her own bakery and make her late parents proud. Despite her insecurities, when a charming elf shows up at her doorstep to tell her she was selected to compete in the Langheim Baking Battle, the most prestigious baking competition in the land, she can’t resist taking this chance. But will her magicless baking stand a chance against the best bakers, who just so happen to have magic at their disposal?

My thoughts:
I loved the found family aspect. All the characters were so lovable and amazing, and they fit together like a glove in this family of misfits. I could not pick who my favourite character is, as the selection is top-notch:
• Arleta, the star of the show, a heroine you love to root for, major overthinker and so relatable in her insecurities and doubts,
• Theo, the swoonworthy love interest, who says things like “I will be yours whether or not you want me, until I am no more.” *swoons* *screams* *cries* *dies*
• Doli, the cheerful dwarf who is giving best friend goals (and has major Sookie from Gilmore Girls energy)
• Jez, the grumpy fennex who will literally put a knife to the throat of anyone who tries to hurt her friends…and also complain about the same friends’ constant chattering and laughter the next second
• The gay orc couple next door, aka the dads you never knew you needed
• Or perhaps even one of the many fun and quirky side characters.

I am telling you, this book is worth reading for the characters alone. But then add to that the most vivid magical world that makes you forget about your dull reality the moment you read the first page; and the most fun competition element. Fair warning though, it will leave your mouth watering and your hands itching to grab a whisk and pluck some rosemary yourself. This one is for the sweet tooths amongst us.

I also loved J. Penner’s writing was so natural, readable, and easy to get into while creating the most beautifully detailed imagery. The dialogue was great, too, and all of it combined made me fly through the book. I would definitely read more from this author, and I am buzzing to continue this series and see what adventures await the gang next.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book so much! I immediately bought a copy as soon as I finished and purchased the second book. This was so lighthearted and cozy and just joyful. The competition aspect was fun and I also loved that it was not the whole entire story. This is truly a story of finding oneself and the friendships we can find along the way. Arleta was such a great character and I loved following her story. I am so excited to see where she and Doli and Jez get into next. Theo was also an absolute joy and it did drive me a bit nuts when Arleta was denying her feelings for him. The ending was so heartwarming and I just had such a fun time with this one! Highly recommend!

DNF @ 52%

I was hoping this book would be like Legends & Lattes with a fantasy baking competition. Unfortunately, it fell short and was verrrry slow moving. The baking competition didn't even start until 40%!!

Two things I love so very much: baking and romance....ah, such a lovely read that I just couldn't leave my bed until the book was done.

Fans of Legends & Lattes- this one’s for you! This is a cozy, low-stakes fantasy with quirky side characters, found family, and lots of baking that will most definitely make your mouth water. I could have used a little more depth to the characters; they feel a bit flat for me, especially in the romance department. Honestly, the side characters had so much charm and heart that they stole the show for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I adored this! It was the perfect amount of cozy and whimsical. I knew about 2 chapters in that I was going to love it. By the time I reached 25%, I knew I had to get my own copy and ordered it before I even finished my ARC (thanks NetGalley!)

Theo has my whole heart. I was fully giggling and kicking my feet. I devoured this, and would have finished it quicker but I kept stopping to squeal over how cute Theo was, and reading my favourite lines to my daughter. <spoiler>"There is plenty of magic in you. You are magic… for me"</spoiler> I mean COME ON!

The friendship that developed between the characters was so wholesome, and when I realized that the other books in this series follow those friends, I knew I'd be picking up the sequels next! J. Penner is my new favourite cozy fantasy author.

4.5 stars rounded up

The story was cozy and uplifting, but it also had real emotional depth. I really enjoyed watching Arleta slowly start to believe in herself, not just as a baker but as someone with something valuable to offer. It’s a warm, gently magical tale about courage, self-worth, and the joy of doing what you love—even when the odds aren’t in your favor.

If you love magic, sweet treats, and a little bit of romance, this has to be your next read! It’s like the whimsical version of the Great British Bake Off and I was all about it. This story was so sweet, in more ways than one! I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a nice cozy read.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

If you want Legends & Latte, conventional fantasy romance and a bit of Great British Bake off + found family, this book might be for you. I personally found it too sweet and predictable to be really interesting. And I absolutely loathe the "magically made for each other" trope, ugh, just go away.

3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness, this was such a cute and totally immersive little fantasy adventure; it truly captured the essence of the cozy fantasy genre. Full of mouth-watering desserts, lovable characters, and small-town charm, this novel will carry you away to the joyful place that is Adenshire. I cannot wait to pick up more books from this series and eat them right up! The recipes at the end were the most perfect little cherry on top.

Readers who enjoy low-stakes, sweet fantasy with good characters will love this book!

"She might only be human, but at least her baked goods tasted magical."

This was a wholesome but not highly remarkable book. I enjoyed the prose, particularly the descriptions of food. Where the book fell flat for me was the story. A narrative doesn't have to be void of cliches, but it should execute them well. Positive examples of this would be An Ember in the Ashes or Heartless Hunter/Crimson Moth. Those books have many predictable elements, yet still feel fresh and deliver well on the reading experience. The plot of this book felt somewhat dull, and the characters' actions were occasionally contrived.

There are still aspects of the book that I liked, such as the sweet side characters and the aforementioned baking descriptions. I think this book might work for someone who hasn't read too many fantasy books and isn't that familiar with tropes or isn't looking for intense worldbuilding, but still wants to read something in the fantasy genre. The book definitely leans into the cozy vibes, but there are other cozy romantasies with light worldbuilding I'd recommend before this one, such as Half a Soul.